INTERNATIONAL CHARTS: Placebo works globally.

Alan Jones

WHILE BLACK EYED PEAS' new album The END. was, by some distance, the world's biggest-selling album last week, UK acts continued to prosper with new albums from Kasabian, Placebo, Elvis Costello, Paulo Nutini and Iron Maiden all doing well.

Of the five, Placebo - arguably the one with least claim to be British - made the biggest impression, with nine number one placings around the world. Comprising Brussels-born, UK-raised vocalist Brian Molko, Swedish guitarist Stefan Olsdal, and new drummer, American Steve Forrest, the band - who are UK-based and signed - debuted here at number eight with Battle For The Sun last week. It debuts inside the Top 10 in 10 European territories, entering at number one in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece and Switzerland, two in Belgium (both Flanders and Walloon), four in Russia, five in Italy and nine in Sweden. It makes lesser debuts in Norway (15), Ireland (22), Poland (23) and Hungary (25). Further afield, it is number one in Mexico, Turkey and Taiwan, eight in Australia, where it is Placebo's fifth Top 20 album; 14 in New Zealand; 51 in the USA and 72 in Canada. It is only the band's second chart entry in America (Meds reached 180), and its first in Canada. More impressively, it is their ...